For decades, the Lawrence brothers—Joey, Matthew, and Andrew—have been household names in Hollywood. But as they revealed at a recent 90s Con panel in Hartford, their famous last name wasn’t always theirs. Born Joey, Matthew, and Andrew Mignogna, the trio reluctantly adopted the more palatable “Lawrence” for their careers—a decision they now regret.
A Name Lost to Showbiz
During the panel, Joey Lawrence explained that their real last name, Mignogna, was deemed too difficult for audiences and industry executives in the 1980s.
“In the early ’80s, it was like, ‘No one can pronounce Mignogna. That’s not a name people will say,’” Joey shared. “So they were like, ‘Let’s call him Joey Lawrence.’ And that’s just what they did.”
He noted that in today’s entertainment landscape, unique and cultural names are celebrated, making the change feel unnecessary in hindsight.
The Double-Name Dilemma
While the name change may have helped their early careers, the brothers revealed it created unexpected challenges later in life.
“It’s really a pain in the butt, honestly, having two names,” Andrew admitted. “You have to prove you’re both people.”
Matthew, best known for Boy Meets World and Mrs. Doubtfire, explained that his dual identity caused him issues with official documentation.
“For a while there, the government only recognized me as Matt Lawrence because I paid taxes from the time I was a toddler to 18 as Matt Lawrence,” he said. “But really, my name is Matthew William Mignogna. So when I grew up and used my real name on my passport, there was absolutely no correlation. I didn’t exist.”
The brothers also acknowledged that their parents saw an added benefit to the change—anonymity. Before the internet era, a stage name provided a layer of insulation from public scrutiny, making it harder for fans or classmates to track them down.
Brotherly Bond on and off Screen
Despite the struggles with their name, Joey, Matthew, and Andrew have remained close, both personally and professionally. Joey expressed his gratitude for working with his brothers, calling them his favorite co-stars.
“They’ve been the best to work with because … you don’t have to worry,” he said. “If you’re having a bad day or a good day—there’s such consistency.”
The trio even floated the idea of starring together in a Hangover-style comedy, embracing their natural chemistry on-screen.
While the Lawrence name became a Hollywood staple, the brothers now wish they had held onto their true identity. For them, Mignogna is more than just a name—it’s a legacy, one they hope to reclaim, even if it comes with a few bureaucratic headaches.
